RoamEO GPS dog collar keeps track of wayward pets

If you’ve ever owned a recalcitrant retriever, a cat-crazy collie or an overly playful poodle, you’ll know the anxiety of watching them run out of view in search of new adventures, oblivious to your shouts of anguish (and anger). A GPS-enabled collar could be handy for tracking down wayward canines and keep them out of harm’s way … or the clutches of dog-nappers or an over-zealous ranger lurking in the neighborhood. The RoamEO is the latest GPS device for owners who worry about their dogs’ disappearing acts or who are sick of spending valuable time searching for that ‘duck-hunter’ who’s too dog-tired to return with the catch.

While GPS-enabled dog tracking devices aren't new (Zoombak and Astro) the RoamEO Pup GPS dog collar and handheld LCD display combination is the latest iteration that allows you to see just how far your GPS collar-wearing mutt is from you, as well as the direction they're traveling and how fast they’re going. It has a maximum range of three miles (approx. 5km), can work indoors and permits tracking of two dogs at once..

Coming soon ... PeTnet

Soon to be released is the RoamEO PeTnet which has a couple of additional features, such as being able to track up to three dogs simultaneously and the helpful feature of a virtual fence.

Dog-owners map out the virtual fenced area they wish to contain their dogs in by walking the perimeter with the handheld GPS unit. The unit maps and stores this information. Then, whenever the dog roams outside the desired area, an audible alarm sounds and an email can be sent to your address or an SMS to your phone.

Virtual fences can also be set up remotely using Google maps and altered at any time.

You can check on your pet's location anytime by just logging on to your user account. This is also handy for families who may have returned to work after holidays, leaving a new dog or puppy at home alone.

First year's membership is included with your purchase of PeTnet. Membership for following years is US$69 annually.

Features
RoamEO is designed to update readings every few seconds, giving you a continuous stream of real-time information. features a GPS-enabled receiver that can track two dogs at once in both distance and direction. It has an easy-to-read backlit LCD display that can be read in daylight or night-time, is weather-resistant and has a battery life of between 18-30 hours (depending on use). The Lithium-ion batteries come with a AC adapter/charger.

I purchased Spotlight (http://www.spotlightgps.com/) last week. Its an A-GPS Pet Locator, which sends me email & text alerts, whenever my pet leaves the safety zones; thus it prevents my dog from wandering away from home. I highly recommend the device to all pet owners who want the reassurance of their pet's safety at all times.